| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
|---|---|
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
In the First Semester this module aims
• To provide students with a range of analytical and practical tools that will facilitate effective study skills for their university studies.
• To develop their ability to analyse arguments and to examine fundamental questions of political life in a rational and rigorous fashion.
• To provide them with a foundation from which they can go on to take other modules.
In the second semester this module aims
* To introduce students to the pratices and problems of political science analysis
* To introduce students to important theoretical and methodological aspects of political science
* To introduce students to theories of the state (eg Pluralism, Marxism, Elitism, Market Liberalism, Feminism, Neo-pluralism, Post-modernism)
* To introduce students to the competing and contested nature of theories in political science
Original Summary:
In the first semester this module is organised around a number of practical study skills issues: library and computing skills; working in teams, developing effective presentation; effectice note taking; essay writing; referencing and plagiarism; critically analysing the use of statistics in the political world; and persuasive and plausible argumentation.
In the second semester the module will introduce students to, and provide a critical analysis of, several theories of the state (eg Pluralism, Marxism, Elitism, Market Liberalism, Feminism, Post-modernism and Neo-pluralism).
Semester 1 Lectures:
Introduction
Library Skills
Team Building
Computing
Academic Writing
Statistics
Referencing and Plagiarism
Posters I
Posters II
Semester 1 Seminars
Team Building I
Team Building II
Poster Session (2 hours)
Semester II Lectures:
Pluralism
Elite Theory I
Marxism I
Marxism II
Market Liberalism and Public Choice Theory I
Market Liberalism and Public choice Theory II
Neopluralism
Feminism
Post-modernism
Environmentalism
Semester II Seminars:
Elite Theory
Marxism
Market Liberalism and Public Choice Theory
Pluralism and Neopluralism
Feminism
Post-modernism
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Academic Staff Contact Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 165:00 | 165:00 | 0:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 | 35:00 |
In the first semester the lectures will provide a robust basis for the further development of a range of analytical and practical tools that will facilitate effective study skills for students' university studies. In the second semester the lectures will introduce students to the key features and aspects of the various theories of the state.
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 50 | Unseen MCQ Exam |
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 25 | 1200-1500wd |
| Other | 1 | M | 25 | Poster presentation (group project) |
Three Blackboard exercises are included with the group poster presentation.
The blackboard exercises and the group presentation provide an opportunity for students demonstrate the depth of their understanding of several aspects of the first semester programme. The essay will provide an opportunity for students to explore a specific topic in greater depth. It will assess the student’s ability to place and synthesise material covered in lectures and seminars in appropriate contexts and their ability to critically and succinctly evaluate the ideas, concepts and theories. The essay will also assess the capacity and initiative of students to undertake independent study of published and electronic materials.
RESIT ASSESSMENT: 100% UNSEEN WRITTEN EXAM
Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.